Exciting opportunity

Nov 17 2009 by Karen Wilson, The Journal

NORTHUMBERLAND Wildlife Trust has received a cash boost of £15,000 from Natural England. The money will allow conservation officers from the Trust and local geologists to carry out an audit of 20 existing sites of geological importance across the region.

Sites such as Cresswell Foreshore, the Town Moor in Newcastle, Druridge Bay, Hartford Quarry in Plessey Woods, Prestwick Carr on the outskirts of Newcastle and the car park of the Co-op store in Hexham may be of particular interest to the team involved in the project.

Once undertaken, the team will be able to prioritise the sites for further field work which may include improving conservation and preservation, interpretation or access to a particular area.

Steve Lowe, head of conservation at Northumberland Wildlife Trust said: “This wonderful support from Natural England will allow geologists to identify important geological features in the county. This is an exciting opportunity to examine this aspect of our local natural history, where minerals and rocks have played such an important role in shaping the region through industries such as lead and coal mining, leaving behind a significant heritage.”